Jacob Erstling, Ph.D.

Jacob Erstling, Ph.D., is the Head of Preclinical and Process R&D at Zahav Bioscience, where he leads preclinical research and oversees formulation development, in vitro assay development, and in vivo evaluation of lead formulations. In this role, he optimizes end-to-end development processes and works cross-functionally to advance candidates toward translational readiness.

Previously, Jacob served as Director of Internal Production at Elucida Oncology, where he led process development and optimization as well as GMP manufacturing for a proprietary nanoparticle platform that advanced into Phase 2 clinical trials. He has over ten years of research experience in targeted drug delivery, with expertise spanning bioconjugation, nanoparticle formulation and characterization, analytical and biophysical methods, cGxP-aligned workflows, DOE-driven process optimization, cell-based assays, and in vivo evaluation of therapeutics.

Jacob earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University, where his research focused on nanoparticle–cell interactions as well as the oral delivery of nanoparticle systems. He has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications, holds several patents, and has presented his work at numerous scientific conferences. Jacob received his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Florida International University.

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